Page 36 of Forced to Marry the Bratva

“Does that feel better?” she asks, not waiting for my response as she retrieves her makeup bag from her purse.

She carefully conceals the remaining marks on my face with skillful makeup application, ensuring they won’t raise suspicion during the meeting.

“Genevieve, you don’t have to do this,” I protest weakly, my pride stinging at the thought of seeming so weak in front of my wife. I’m the one supposed to care for her.

“Of course I do, Damien,” she retorts, determination in her eyes. “You’re not just my husband; you’re my partner. And partners take care of each other.”

Her words resonate within me, stirring something deep inside my chest. I watch as she works diligently, her nimble fingers expertly hiding my bruises, and I can’t help but be captivated by her beauty and resilience.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but she’s won my irrevocable trust.

“Genevieve,” I say, my voice low and filled with emotion. “Thank you. For everything.”

She smiles tenderly at me, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “You’re welcome, Damien. Now, let’s go face the world together.”

***

With our appearances restored, Genevieve and I stride purposefully down the hallway toward Boris’s office. Each step hurts, and it takes everything in me to hold back the pain from showing on my face.

The air is thick with tension, our steps in sync as if we’ve been walking through life together for years. As I glance over at her, her determined expression mirrors my own, and in that moment, I know we are united in facing whatever challenges lie ahead.

“Ready?” I ask, my voice steady despite the fear of being caught brewing within me.

“More than ever,” she replies, her eyes blazing with an undefeated fire that reminds me I want her on my team. I feel an overwhelming sense of pride in this fierce woman by my side.

Just as we approach the conference room, Lev intercepts us, his brow furrowed with concern. “Damien, Genevieve,” he says, glancing between us.

“Is everything okay?” Genevieve asks, her eyes searching Lev’s face for answers.

“Just… watch each other’s backs in there, okay? I’m with you, so just know I’ve got you both,” Lev tells us, his eyes conveying a lingering unease.

“Thank you, Lev,” I mutter, giving him a grateful nod.

“Ready?” Genevieve motions to the door.

“Always.” My voice is firm, leaving no room for doubt.

With our conversation settled, the three of us enter the conference room together. The moment we step inside, all eyes are on us—a testament to the fact that Genevieve’s presence is unnerving to some, just as I predicted it would be.

I need to control the narrative and jump into action.

“Good morning, everyone,” I greet the assembled members, my voice commanding their attention. Genevieve stands beside me, her head held high.

“Today, I want to make it clear that my wife, Genevieve, will be an active participant in this meeting and perhaps all future ones if it so suits her,” I announce, my tone leaving no room for argument. “She’s proven herself to be more than capable, and I expect everyone to treat her with the respect she deserves since she would be an asset to our team. It’s time she learns the ropes of this business.”

As I speak, my hand instinctively finds hers, intertwining our fingers as a subtle display of possessiveness. The gesture doesn’t go unnoticed by the others in the room, and I can see the surprise and curiosity flicker across their faces.

“Thank you, Damien,” Genevieve says loudly, squeezing my hand in appreciation.

Boris looks around the room, his gaze landing on each person before finally settling back on me.

“You heard my brother, everyone,” he says, his tone firm. “Genevieve is welcome to learn about our business. I expect all of you to be accommodating and helpful to her. Do I make myself clear?”

The room nods in unison, but I can see the discomfort in their eyes. I’m well aware that not everyone is thrilled about my wife’s presence here. There’s a lot of power and influence riding on this family operation, and some of them believe that having a woman involved would threaten their positions.

But I don’t care. I want Genevieve to be a part of this. She deserves to know about the life I’ve been leading and the responsibilities that come with it. Boris quickly motions to an assistant and barks at him to bring a chair to the table for her.

Genevieve takes her seat, and the meeting begins.

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